The bullet that pierced 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall's chest “exited through the back” and “missed a vital organ,” his mother said. He wrote in a Facebook post.
Police say Pearsall was shot during an attempted robbery Saturday afternoon and a 17-year-old suspect is in custody.
The suspect reportedly tried to steal Pearsall's Rolex watch at gunpoint.
“First and foremost, I want to thank God for protecting my child,” Erin Pearsall wrote in The Athletic. “My son is very lucky that God protected him. He was shot in the chest, but the bullet exited through his back. I thank God that it escaped his vital organs.”
Post to Facebook. Facebook / Erin Pearsall
There was an attempted robbery in San Francisco. Getty Images
The 49ers released a statement late Saturday night saying Pearsall's condition was “serious but stable.”
San Francisco police said Pearsall was walking alone in the city's Union Square area when he was approached by the suspect.
Both men were shot during a physical altercation.
“He is doing well now,” Erin wrote. “Life is truly precious my friends. Please love each other. My son was saved today by God's grace. Please pray for my baby.”
Pearsall was reportedly on his way home from a signing session at the time of the shooting.
NFL rules require players to be relieved of mandated team responsibilities the final weekend before the start of the regular season.
San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said there was “no indication” the suspect targeted Pearsall because he was an NFL player.
Police say one gun was involved, multiple shots were fired and it was recovered at the scene.
“Thankfully, the hardworking officers in this case made a swift arrest and we remain committed to seeing justice achieved,” Scott said in a statement.
Pearsall was taken No. 31 overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, joining a receiver group led by Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.
